Personal/Relationship/Family Counseling:

Each of us experiences difficulties in our lives at some time. We can usually work through these events without outside help. However, when they become overwhelming, an objective person outside our realm of family and friends may be able to provide perspective and problem-solving skills that aren’t always obvious to us. That is a role that therapists can provide.
 
Many of us suffer with bouts of mental anguish, whether it be depression or anxiety or other expressions of mental pain. Therapists are trained to help deal with these issues.
 
At other times we can feel empty and unfulfilled. Counselors can provide perspective to help discover possibilities for individuals to find meaning and purpose.
 
Some of us experience difficulty maintaining personal relationships. There are many causes for this, and a trained therapist can teach us relationship skills, including the ability to trust, ways to promote effective communication, and how to develop a respect through understanding of other points of view, while maintaining our own values.
 
Marriage combines two people who each bring their own way of being into a living situation. Passion, trust and intimacy, and commitment all need to work together to build a healthy and happy marriage. Trained therapists can help couples develop better marriages. Reading resources and assessments are available.

Healthy families understand and practice several things:

1. the roles of parents and children,
2. the difference between the adult’s and the child’s perspectives,
3. the ability to negotiate how to meet the needs of each family member, and
4. how the family unit is affected by each individual involved.
5. Good family therapy can facilitate these dynamics in a positive manner.

Vocational/Career Counseling:

Vocational/career counseling is a specialty that helps individuals discover for themselves careers and jobs that match their interests, personal traits, skills, and values. Trained vocational/career counselors work to help the individual integrate life and career for the highest satisfaction of goals and needs.

Vocational counseling can be a helpful process for anyone who is:

1. uncertain about the direction of his or her own future,
2. unfulfilled in a present position, or
3. unsuccessful in acquiring employment.

These may include:

• displaced, unemployed and/or underemployed workers
• workers who feel burned out or unmotivated
• college students with undecided majors
• upper level high school students who need some direction.
• individuals who feel they have been unable to pursue their “dream”

Vocational counseling involves four weekly sessions individually tailored to the needs of each client. If appropriate, several highly-validated and computer-generated tests can be taken. These will be followed with three hours of consultation, including interpretation of test results, exploration of possibilities, and guidance in formulating a plan to either achieve desired and meaningful employment or determine a direction for college or post-high school training.
 
The cost of a vocational/career counseling package is $500. This includes the hours of assessment and consultation, the cost of individual tests, encouragement and career coaching consults for six weeks following the end of the basic program.

Grief/Loss Transitions Counseling:

There are very definite stages in the grief process:

{1} shock and denial;
{2} anger/depression;
{3} acceptance/understanding.

It is important not to skip any of these steps if we are to eventually accept the loss. We must have our sad feelings, tears, and anger. The grieving process takes TIME! Dr. Peterson has provided individual and group counseling for people dealing with the loss of a spouse, child, work or other circumstances.
 
Expected or unexpected, positive or negative, change moves us into a period of transition during which our future is decided, in part, by our ability to adapt successfully.
 
Anticipating and adapting to change can leave us feeling anxious or depressed. Even a positive change can produce apprehension and fear, putting us into a new and unknown situation. Even if we don’t feel nervous or sad, we may experience other symptoms, such as having difficulty concentrating, eating too much (or too little), sleeping too much (or too little), or losing interest in social activities or other things we once enjoyed.
 
It is important to recognize the effects of change. All change brings about some loss which must be recognized. Seeking counseling in times of change can help navigate the feelings, issues of belief and perspective, and provide adaptive skills. There are many excellent resources available that a counselor can help you locate.

Supervision:

Dr. Peterson has extensive experience as a supervisor for counselor interns who are finishing requirements for licensure.

How to reach us:
Office location:
1107 Seven Lakes Drive
In the "Executive Center" - Suites 3 & 4
Seven Lakes, NC 27376
Telephone: 910.673.3209
E-mail address: contact@counselingprofessionalslpc.com
 

Featured Publication:
"Singleness: A Guide to Understanding and Satisfaction"
by Nadene Peterson, Barbara Sofie

Book Description:
Using examples from real life, this book moves from the negative emotions and the needs and conflicts of single people to finding yourself and growing from need to choice. It illustrates the myths of singleness and marriage. A major premise of the book is that feeling whole before you couple allows you to enjoy a relationship that is based on interdependence rather than dependence or co-dependence. It is easy to read and understand and exercises are provided that can help one make intelligent choices about living alone or together.

• Softcover: 167 pages
• Publisher: Watercress Press
• Available from:
  Counseling Professionals
  P.O. Box 752
  West End, NC 27376
  910.673.3209
• Price: $9.95